Excellent value for money

I bought 2 of these to support Nikon SB-600 Speedlights in a multi-flash set-up. They're well made with excellent features - astonishing for the price. Not sure about the solidity of support for serious SLR usage, they're a bit on the flimsy side, but outstanding value-for-money.

Great pan head for the price

I have been using this pan head with a Manfrotto MN-055 PROB tripod for about a year and I am very pleased with it. The build quality is great and it still handles like new. Panning in all directions is pretty smooth and the handles have really nice grips. The only problem is when tightening the pan head there is a small amount of movement meaning that precise locating in changing situations can be difficult but for the price this is a small issue. It is quite a heavy piece of equipment but this gives the pan head its stability. I often use the pan head with a nikon D80 and Sigma 50-500mm lens, which is a heavy combination but there is no movement in any of the bearings and the pan head feels rock solid. In conclusion, a great product at a great price that deserves a high quality tripod so highly recommended.

Quality Product

I got this ball head as a christmas present and am absolutely delighted with it. Manfrotto makes quality products at a decent price. I previously used a tripod that had an annoying video head on it which meant that any tilting off to the side was impossible with the head. This ball head is a godsend, you loosen the one bolt, move the camera where you want it then tighten the bolt again. Job done, quick and simple.

There are two notches cut out so you can tilt your camera over to portrait format. When you loosen the bolt the whole head can rotate so you can position those notches where you need them before tightening everything up.

The quick release plate is small and can be left permanently on your camera. When it is clipped to the head it connects smoothly and stays put. There is a secondary safety catch that engages as well so there is no chance of mistakenly unclipping the camera.

A real high quality head that offers lightning fast adjustment.

Excellent First Tripod

Not had this tripod long but so far so good, very easy to adjust and use, solid and not too heavy, could have done with being supplied with a case for transportation though, otherwise excellent!!

Fantastic product!

Gives you a surprisingly stable platform to shoot pictures from. This monopod is well made, with sturdy tubing and well made quick release latches for each section. The whole thing has a very professional feel. I use it with a digital SLR equipped with a mid sized telephoto lens, but it would do just as well with a longer lens or even a video camera. Monopods can be really useful in situations where a tripod is impractical but where you could do with some extra support. I use it for sporting events and it really helps to maintain stability when panning. I'm about 5' 10" tall and I don't use it fully extended, but there's not a lot of height left. I'm guessing, but I would imagine that anybody above 6' 2" would feel more comfortable using it with a head to extend the height.

Value for money

What a great piece of equipment,I was expecting something like a bendy toy,but it was just what I was looking for as this little gissmo fits in your top pocket.It beats balancing your camera a table or chair.I intend to put it to full use on holiday with me in Italy next week should be useful for panoramic pictures.

Lil Gizmo!

Not only is this the perfect camera accessory, it also happens to be un-put-downable: an addictive office toy!
It's much lighter than I expected too, will come in handy for day trips, rugby games (Haven't tested that yet, but I can picture it attached to the railings/seat in front), camping, and trips abroad!

Best Lightweight Monopod

I spent a lot of time finding something small enough to carry everywhere, tall enough to use in comfort for long periods and strong enough to survive my handling. This was even better than I expected. I added a Manfrotto 234 head as I need to be able to pan the camera at speed and keep it lined up on fast moving wildlife. A number of monopods are stronger but are generally far bigger and heavier and I have seen no sign of it not coping with the weight of my cameras and lenses.

correcting a mistake

I made a mistake when i ordered the Manfrotto 785B tripod thinking that i can use it for my 400D. It turns out the the Manfrotto was specifically made for small video cams and p&s cameras, a fact that was not made clear in the Amazon website.

I could have forced to use the Manfrotto, but I would have to remove the battery grip of my 400D and limit the use with my 10-22mm lens. Thereby limiting the use of this tripod as it won't go with my larger lens and 30D.

To correct this mistake, I placed an order for this Velbron Sherpa 600. My past experience with Velbron Sherpa 250R was excellent so I didn't hesitate to place this order.

It arrived today and immediately upon inspection I am pleased with the build. It's bit heavy but his will definitely serve my needs for taking city nightshots as well as landscapes and seascapes. I also like that the tripod can brought very low to the ground, an excellent feature not found in both the the Manfrotto and my earlier Sherpa 250R. Again, the quick release is greatly designed, much better than the Manfrotto quick release.

Superb Quality At A Reasonable Price

I have just purchased this tripod and am extremely happy with it. My only two small reservations for not giving it a five star rating are the absence of an onboard spirit level and the fact that it is a little lightweight! I shoot DV of railway subjects and need a tripod which can pan slowly and without juddering. The pan action on this is absolutely wonderful. It is beautifully smooth. Given the fast moving nature of my subjects a tripod also needs to be capable of sitting on one spot without being blown away, hence my comment about the weight. However, for the money, this little beauty pretty much fits the bill perfectly. The build quality is absolutely superb and the fact that the tripod fits into less than eighteen inches when collapsed make it ideal for my needs. If you are looking for a tripod which will assist you to take the shots you want to take rather than putting up with the results of a cheaper alternative I heartily recommend this one. Well done Velbon!

Value for money

I can't believe nobody has reviewed this bad boy yet. I bought this tripod years ago and it has lasted well. It is basically a mini version of a full size-tripod, three section legs, vertically extending central column and three way head. Although it is pretty light the leg sections are of metal and the whole thing offers steady enough support for a small SLR or creative compact. It even has a quick release plate but I am wary of over-tightening it as it feels a bit 'gummy' when you screw it in hard.

The tripod is particularly handy for real low shots where you still need support (such as landscape) as you are shooting just a few inches off the ground.

There isn't a lot more to say about this, it offers no surprises, works in most conditions, offers good support and has components with a finish decent enough to keep it looking good for years. A good value buy.

P Mac

If you need a monopod, & you will if useing a long len's to stop the dreaded camera shake, this is ( for the price ) exellent.
Although it is alloy is is sturdy, light, & small enough to attach to your camera bag.
The small cap, on top of the screw which attaches to your camera, is bound to get lost but a dust cap of a car tyre ( if small ) fit's as well.

VELBON CX-560 TRIPOD REVIEW 5 SEP 2007. by a photographer.

VELBON CX-560 TRIPOD is a lightweight but made to a very high quality.
At a little over £30 this tripod offers all that a photographer needs for an slr or digital compact approaching slr qualities such as the Canon S5 is camera.
It provides a very firm platform for outdoor use being stable in in all terrains and moderate wind conditions without being too cumbersome for easy transportation with or without the carrybag.
The removable fix plate eliminates having to fiddle with undoing the srewbase to use camera alone only then having to use the stand again.
Simplicity in action indeed.
There are many tripods around this price bracket and my recommendation for the 560 goes because it offers all the best for the least price without any compromising in quality or functions.
To summarise, the CX 560 offers a good height, stable legs, abundant adjustments in all planes, high quality build, a brand you can trust,a good all round tripod that meets the needs of most at a price that most can consider acceptable.
A deffinate 5 star tripod, highly recommended.